Lemon-Cream Cheese Strudel

Laura Klesper reports that her husband got hooked on cream cheese strudel during a trip to Germany and Austria. When he requested a reproduction of the dessert at home, she came up with this surprisingly easy variation.

Ingredients

1 sheet (half of a 17-oz. package) frozen puff pastry, thawed

2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese

1 large egg

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Nutritional Information

Calories 419

Caloriesfromfat 69%

Protein 7.5g

Fat 32g

Satfat 14g

Carbohydrate 26g

Fiber 0.6g

Sodium 252mg

Cholesterol 89mg

Calories 419

Caloriesfromfat 69%

Protein 7.5g

Fat 32g

Satfat 14g

Carbohydrate 26g

Fiber 0.6g

Sodium 252mg

Cholesterol 89mg

How to Make It

Step 1

Unfold pastry on a lightly floured board. With a floured rolling pin, roll pastry into a neat 10- by 14-inch rectangle.

Step 2

In a bowl, with a mixer, beat cream cheese, egg, powdered sugar, lemon peel, and lemon juice until well blended.

Step 3

Spoon cream cheese mixture down center of longest dimension of pastry to within 1 inch of each end; spread evenly to make a 4-inch-wide band. Fold 1 long pastry edge over filling; brush top of edge with water. Fold remaining edge over filling, overlapping opposite side of pastry. Pinch pastry ends to seal. With 2 wide spatulas, gently lift the roll and lay, seam down, on a lightly buttered 14- by 17-inch baking sheet. With a sharp knife, make shallow slashes at 1-inch intervals across the pastry. Sprinkle pastry evenly with granulated sugar.

Step 4

Bake in a 400° regular or convection oven until strudel is deep golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on pan at least 5 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Cut into 6 to 8 equal slices and transfer to plates.